Orion

THREE worlds he wears as bosses on his belt,
Never ungirded ; mortals theirs lay down ;
Great Aaron his ; Moses in Moab felt
The Sovereign Hand his high estate discrown;
Kings and great men, or clad in mail or gown,
Disrobe and die ; but lo ! from year to year
Those banded worlds the mutual distance own
Which Adam saw when Night came up the sphere.
God’s golden compasses there measure still.
Night unto night by this great symbol shows
Far forth this counsel: Ever be the same.
Planted by God, and fear no shame, no ill.
“ Canst loose Orion’s bands?” —this to thy foes,
O faithful soul! nightly the heavens proclaim.